CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 15,286	$ 25,339	$ 28,870	$ 43,953
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before taxes:
Net unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for sale securities	52,130	(41,851)	45,753	16,586
Net changes in held-to-maturity securities	(997)	(3,350)	(2,008)	(6,693)
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on cash flow hedges	(2,976)	1,430	(7,739)	1,183
Other comprehensive income/(loss) before tax	48,157	(43,771)	36,006	11,076
Income tax (expense)/benefit related to other comprehensive income	(16,856)	15,320	(12,603)	(3,876)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	31,301	(28,451)	23,403	7,200
Comprehensive income/(loss)	46,587	(3,112)	52,273	51,153
Less: comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interest	16	119	44	(5,235)
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Farmer Mac	$ 46,603	$ (2,993)	$ 52,317	$ 45,918